Target throwing device



Sept. 11, 1962 M. H. JENKINS TARGET THROWING DEVICE Filed June 29, 1959 ATTORNE; 5.

l R mm W w V k h km 1 W m w E I w w United States Patent 3,053,244 TARGET THROWING DEVICE Mark H. Jenkins, 6610 W. 78th, Overland Park, Kans. Filed June 29, 1959, Ser. No. 823,406 3 Claims. (Cl. 124-17) This invention relates to a target throwing device and has for its primary object the provision of a relatively simple, lightweight, inexpensive unit adapted either for mounting on a gun, or to be supported in any other suitable manner, and having for its sole purpose the projecting of a target forwardly into space whereby to present a mark to shoot at for practice, amusement or whatever other purpose may be desired.

It is the most important object of the present invention to provide a device that not only projects a disc-like target into space, but which automatically causes the same to spin and, therefore, advance upwardly and outwardly with a scaling motion without descent prior to the marksman having had opportunity to shoot.

Another important object of the present invention is to include in the device a rapidly propelled, movable element which rotatably carries the target to a point where it is stripped from a pedestal, and at the same time caused to spin at the point of stripping.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a target-throwing device made pursuant to my present invention in conjunction with a fragmentary illustration of a gun barrel upon which the device is mounted.

FIG. 2. is a side elevational view of the device, parts being broken away and in section for clearness and showing a different manner of supporting the device; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2 but omitting the support.

An elongated, tubular guide illustrated in each of the three figures of the drawing, has a movable element 12 reciprocably mounted thereon. The element 12 includes a sleeve 14 telescoped on the tube 10 for reciprocable movement therealong. Sleeve 14 is held against rotation around the tube 10 by an integral slide bar 16 extending into the tube 10 through a slot 18 that extends longitudinally of the tube 10* at the bottom thereof. A handle 20, which may also be integral with the sleeve 14, depends from the latter immediately below the slide bar 16.

Power means within the tube 10 for actuating the element 12, may be in the nature of one or more rubber bands 22 looped through a notch 24 in the slide bar '16-, as well as a notch 26 in a plug 28 that crosses one end of the tube 10.

The element .12 also includes a pedestal 30 rigid to the sleeve 14 and extending upwardly therefrom, the upper face 32 of the pedestal 30* being inclined and sloping downwardly as the rearmost end of the sleeve 14 is approached.

When the device is placed in use as hereinafter fully described, a disc target 34 is placed on the upper inclined surface 32 and rotatably supported by a pin 36 rigidly attached to pedestal 30 and extending upwardly from the surface 32 in perpendicular relationship to the latter. Manifestly, the target 34 has a central opening receiving the pin 36 for free rotation of target 34 thereon.

An upstanding standard 38 is mounted on the tube 10 in any suitable manner intermediate the ends thereof as by use of a clamp 40 to support a stripper broadly designated by the numeral 42. Stripper 42 includes a plate 44 inclined downwardly and rearwardly as in the case of the surface 32 of pedestal 30, and at the same angularity.

Plate 44 has an elongated clearance notch 46 for the pin 36, disposed directly above the tube 10, and a pair 3,053,244 Patented Sept. 11, 1962 ice of upstanding flanges 48 and 50. The flange 48 carries spinning means 52 which is resilient as in a leaf spring and includes an inwardly-extending member 54 that may be straight and fiat, or hook-shaped as illustrated. Note that the member 54 extends toward the slot 46 in overlying relationship to the plate 44 near the rearmost and lowermost edge of the latter.

Latch means, broadly designated by the numeral 56, includes an L-shaped leaf spring catch 58 rigidly secured to the sleeve 14 and provided with a laterally extending fingerpiece 60 to facilitate its withdrawal from hooked relationship to a notched block 62 on the tube 10. Note inclined ramp end 64 on the block 62 to deflect the catch 58 and permit it to snap into the notch of block 62 when the element 12 is drawn back to the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 against the action of the power means 22.

The device is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing mounted on a gun barrel 66 rearwardly of front sight 68 by a suitable bracket 70.

On the other hand, in FIG. 2, the device is shown supported by a U-shaped wicket 72 having sharpened prongs 74 that may be forced into the ground by use of step bar 76 that interconnects the prongs 74.

A bracket 78 on the tube 10, and a panel 80 attached to the bight of wicket 72 are interconnected by bolt and nut pivot means 82. A tight swingable fit between the panel 86 and the wicket 72 permits lateral adjustment, and by loosening of the bolt and nut means 82 the angularity of the tube ltl may also be adjusted.

In use, the element 12 is first retracted to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, whereupon a circular target 34 is placed on the surface 32 rotatably carried by pin 36. By actuation of fingerpiece 60, the latch means 56 is released, whereupon the power means 22 will quickly and forcefully project the element 12 forwardly along the tube 10 until the sleeve 14 strikes a bumper 84 surrounding the tube 10 and held in place by the clamp 40.

As the target 34 strikes the upper surface of plate 44 and moves flatly therealong, it obviously is caused to rise from the surface 32 and is therefore, stripped from the pin 36.

Simultaneously with the stripping action, the target 34 will engage the flange 50 and the innermost free end of the member 54. By virtue of the resiliency of the member 54, the latter will yield toward the flange 48 as illustrated bydotted lines in FIG. 1, permitting the disc-like target 34 to continue its upward and forward movement along the top face of plate 44. However, by virtue of the action of the member 54, the target 34 will be caused to spin on the pin. 36- as target 34 is stripped therefrom by the plate 44. As a consequence, the target 34 is projected with great force into the air upwardly and forwardly beyond that end of. the tube 10 having plug 28 therein.

It may be well to provide a relatively sharp terminal end 86for the member 54 to assure proper engagement with the round peripheral edge of the target 34. Succeeding operations are carried out in the same manner after the element 12 is again retracted toward the block 62 through use of handle 20'.

The action is such, whether the device is mounted on the gun barrel '66 or on the support 72, that the targets 34 whirl or spin in space in a scaling action at relatively great distances, all depending of course, upon the strength of the power means 22, the over-all size of the device, particularly the length of tube 10, and the material from which the targets 34 are made. For purposes of economy, ordinary relatively lightweight cardboard has been found to be quite satisfactory.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A device for throwing a target having a centrally disposed, pin receiving opening therein, said device comprising an elongated guide; a target-carrying member including a movable element reciprocable along the guide and provided with a target-supporting pedestal having a target-receiving pin; a stripper disposed to remove the target from the pin as the element moves in one direction along the guide; and means for spinning the target on the pin prior to removal of the target from the pin, said stripper comprising a plate inclined with respect to the path of travel of the pin to progressively raise the target 01f the pin, said spinning means comprising a resilient hook adjacent the plate and normally in the path of travel of the target, said hook being yieldable in said one di rection and engageable with the target at the periphery thereof as the latter engages the plate.

2. A target throwing device comprising an elongated guide; a target-carrying member including a movable element reciprocable along the guide and provided with a target-supporting pedestal having a target-receiving pin;

a member of resilient material carried by the stripper and yieldable in said one direction, said member being normally in the path of travel of said target and engageable therewith at the periphery thereof for spinning the target on the pin prior to removal of the target from the pin.

3. A target throwing device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said member is provided with an elongated, relatively sharp terminal end engageable with said target at the periphery thereof.

a stripper disposed to remove the target from the pin as 20 the element moves in one direction along the guide; and

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,419,538 Blando June 13, 1922 2,029,036 Rottner Jan. 28, 1936 2,182,369 Barron Dec. 5, 1939 2,663,291 Hall Dec. 22, 1953 2,742,889 Clauss Apr. 24, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 778,304 France Dec. 22, 1934 

